Fire at Notre Dame Cathedral

What we covered here

What we covered here

What happened: A massive blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris devastated large parts of the 850-year-old church. The fire is now out, but the cathedral's iconic spire fell during the hours it took to battle the blaze. French President Emmanuel Macron, in an address to the nation, promised Parisians that they will "rebuild this cathedral together."

2:38 p.m. ET, April 15, 2019

The cathedral was built in the 13th century and draws 13 million visitors a year

From CNN's Saskya Vandoorne

The medieval cathedral was completed in the 13th century and today, with its towers, spire, flying buttresses and stained glass, is considered a feat of architecture as much as a religious symbol.

It is one of Paris' most popular attractions, drawing an estimated 13 million visitors a year.

Today, it is in flames.

1:24 p.m. ET, April 15, 2019

Twitter photos show smoke billowing from Notre Dame's cathedral

Twitter users are sharing various angles of the fire at Notre Dame.

1:42 p.m. ET, April 15, 2019

There is a fire at the historic Notre Dame cathedral in Paris

From CNN's Saskya Vandoorne

Police in Paris say the Notre Dame cathedral is on fire.

In a tweet, police said: “Notre Dame Fire in progress. Avoid the area and facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles and intervention of the @prefpolice."